King's Cup

The King's Cup is a duelling tournament held annually in Sobrida: the eponymous King in fact being the Qeyzer. The winner of the cup gains the title of First Sword of the kingdom and becomes one of the Qeyzer's formal champion (with the traditional role of King's Champion in the Kingdom of the Carmine Sea having become largely ceremonial).

Even if the champion would not otherwise qualify or wish to compete against the open field they are given a chance to defend their title against the best other competitor in each year.

It was first held in 541 and has been held every year since. In 564, to celebrate the Qeyzer's hundredth birthday, a tournament was held for foreigners, with the winner of that facing off against the First Sword.

The first entrant to win the Cup twice was Mellado Roimata, later Queen of the Isles, in 543. She was also the first to defend her title. The first to win three titles was Prince Alfrett of the Kingdom of the Carmine Sea, who won three consecutive titles from 546 - 547. His record was broken by Nyerik Kensin, who ultimately won five titles consecutively.

Entrants from the Niemida Legacy have been disproportionately successful in the Cup relative to the size of the Prefecture. Together, Niemida entrants have won fourteen titles, more than any other nationality.